Historical information

This box of pastels was donated to the Wodonga & District Historical Society by Betty L Barberis nee Barton, a prominent artist. They were given to her by Mr Colin Findlay, the teacher at Upper Gundowring Primary School from 1930 to 1939. His students at that school and many others used these pastels each day.

Reeves’ “Greyhound” business was originally established by William Reeves who opened his first shop near St Paul’s Cathedral in London, England in 1766. The greyhound crest was later adopted as they emblem, taken from the coat-of-arms of the extinct Ryves family of Dorset. It consisted of a black-seated greyhound spotted with gold.
After William’s death, the business was carried out by his brother, in partnership with various businessmen. They sold a wide range of art supplies in England and their trade extended to supplying drawing instruments and stationery products to the East India Company in the early 1800s.

In the 1920s the Greyhound Colour Works at Enfield became known especially for its famous Greyhound pastels. Reeves Greyhound products were also being made in Melbourne, Australia. They were marketed widely through schools in all states from the 1920s onwards.

Reeves continues to be a huge brand both in the United Kingdom and internationally, placed in over 70 countries worldwide including America, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Africa and Australia.

Significance

These pastels are significant because they were widely used in Victorian Schools and were donated to our Collection by a prominent local artist.

Physical description

A cardboard box with a corrugated cardboard to store 12 pastels. The pastel are held in a cardboard tray insert.

Inscriptions & markings

REEVES' 'GREYHOUND" PASTELS (REGISTERED)
Directions for use
Non-INJURIOUS
Made in Australia

On each pastel: REEVES GREYHOUND